WFP boss commends Rwanda’s Rural Development initiatives

Ms Cousin during one of the upcountry visits

Head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Ertharin Cousin has commended the Rwanda’s rural development initiatives that have improved the lives of Rwandans by making sure no one goes hungry.

 The comments came following her visit to various projects funded by WFP including Rukozo, Nothern Province where she visited the Watershed Management Project. Cousin was in Rwanda for a three day visit.

The Watershed Management Project is working to control soil erosion and creating cultivable land terraces.

She also visited a cooperative that specializes in growing maize and beans in Kirehe District, Eastern Province.

“When speaking with small-scale farmers and rural families, I could see very clearly the difference that rural development initiatives have made in helping people improve their lives.

 I met one woman farmer who started with nearly nothing, and now has become so successful that she’s been able to build her family a new house, and put her children though school,” narrated Cousin.

“The progress that is being made on development in Rwanda illustrates the importance of close and effective partnerships between UN agencies, communities and governments in helping people lift themselves out of poverty,” she said

The WFP chief also visited Girinka (One Cow Per Poor Family) beneficiaries to see how giving cows to the poorest families have helped fight malnutrition especially among children, have provided opportunities to earn income, as well as increased fertility of farm land.

WFP provided 300 cows in support of Girinka in January 2011 and a further five cows were donated this month during Cousin’s visit.

WFP also partners with the Rwandan government on various development programs including feeding primary school children, fighting acute malnutrition, linking farmers to markets, as well as providing support for the Rwanda’s food security analyses.

Source : http://www.bahoneza.com/wfp-boss-commends-rwandas-rural-development-initiatives/

WFP boss commends Rwanda’s Rural Development initiatives